If there are already threads about this, please feel free to point them out...

If Bitcoin remains primarily valued by miners and currency speculators, what kind of future could it possibly have? It's destined to eventually "burst" and who knows what would happen then.

Doesn't it become necessary at some point to arrange for businesses to start accepting Bitcoin directly as payment -- so people can use/receive Bitcoin without having to go through Mt. Gox, Liberty Reserve, etc. to get "real value" (currently: USD) for their Bitcoin?

I'd love to buy gas or get groceries with my Bitcoin -- unfortunately, I can't.

I remember when I first watched the video about Bitcoins, how it mentioned "Alpaca socks" as one of the things you could buy. My impression was "Wow -- even something that esoteric!" but now I realize that Alpaca socks is about the ONLY thing you can buy directly with Bitcoin

Is there a group of "evangelists" pushing Bitcoin to businesses? Are there any incentives in place for those businesses? Any how-tos, documents, or guides for how to price products in Bitcoin? For example, it is realistic to expect businesses to link the BTC value to the US Dollar, at least at first. Let's be realistic. So how can we make it easy for businesses to tie their website in to the Mt. Gox API to query the current rate, so they can do the math on their website, etc.?

Please keep in mind that we are only 2 years into this innovation. There are only around 20K - 50K active users. You have to give the economy time.

Anyways, one cannot simply 'evangelize' Bitcoin and get it moving by forming councils or direct intervention. No, no, no. The incentive must be innate. It must flow naturally through the demands that come about. Just give it time. Action through inaction.

Please keep in mind that we are only 2 years into this innovation. There are only around 20K - 50K active users. You have to give the economy time.

Anyways, one cannot simply 'evangelize' Bitcoin and get it moving by forming councils or direct intervention. No, no, no. The incentive must be innate. It must flow naturally through the demands that come about. Just give it time. Action through inaction.

+1 No need to rush anything.

As we slide down the banister of life, this is just another splinter in our ass.